Wellstar Health System in the US has agreed to extend its contract with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield for an additional four years.

The collaboration ensures Anthem members' continued access to healthcare at all 11 Wellstar hospitals and various other medical facilities.

Affecting more than 350,000 Anthem members in Georgia, this multi-year agreement covers services ranging from medical offices and imaging centres to cancer centres, rehab centres, urgent cares, paediatric centres, and health parks.

The contract extension ensures the continuity of healthcare services through May 2027.

Furthermore, Wellstar and Augusta University Health System have jointly launched Wellstar MCG Health, a unified health system in Augusta.

This partnership aims to invest in advanced medical facilities and infrastructure, enhance collaborations with rural hospitals, and increase access to digital health services.

It focuses on delivering clinical care, including paediatric services offered by Wellstar and Children's Hospital of Georgia.

Wellstar executive vice president and chief financial officer Jim Budzinski said: “As a non-profit health system built from community hospitals, Wellstar exists to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve.

“We are in constant pursuit of ways to improve how we provide care and protect the health and well-being of our communities, and as such, we appreciate our long-term relationship with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia.”

Wellstar Health operates 11 hospitals, over 325 medical offices, 11 cancer centres, 91 rehabilitation centres, 35 imaging centres, 18 urgent care locations, five health parks, three hospice facilities, and one retirement village.